Assange, 41, has been holed up in Ecuador's embassy in London since June 19 to avoid being extradited to Sweden on rape charges, and Cely says pressure groups are already using the situation to damage Ecuador's relations with American business leaders and policymakers.

CNN says the deadline for Assange to be extradited passed on July 7 "with no apparent movement." The UK Supreme Court dismissed his bid to reopen his appeal against extradition to Sweden on June 14, and Metropolitan Police say he is now violating the terms of his bail.

Ecuadorian officials confirmed that their government is still considering Assange's application for asylum, according to Associated Press. Ecuador's leftist President Rafael Correa has often been at odds with Washington, the news agency explains, and offered Mr Assange asylum in 2010